Travis Hafner | Designated Hitter

Latest News

Recent News

Travis Hafner told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he is hoping to continue his playing career.

Hafner agreed this week to join the baseball coaching staff at Notre Dame College in Ohio, but it's only a volunteer position and he can leave at any time. The 36-year-old hit just .202/.301/.378 for the Yankees in 2013 and is mostly limited to DH duties. Thu, Jan 16, 2014 10:50:00 AM

According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, Travis Hafner has joined the coaching staff of Notre Dame College in Ohio.

No word on whether this officially means retirement, but Hafner likely hasn't drawn much interest this winter after batting just .202/.301/.378 over 299 plate appearances last season with the Yankees. He turns 37 in June. Wed, Jan 15, 2014 01:56:00 PM

Hafner has been out since July with a rotator cuff strain. He'll return to a .205/.300/.384 batting line over 293 plate appearances. Wed, Sep 25, 2013 12:44:00 PM

Travis Hafner (shoulder) will be activated from the disabled list Wednesday.

Hafner has been out since July with a rotator cuff strain. The Yankees are all but eliminated from playoff contention, but Pronk is at least feeling well enough to likely fill a pinch-hitting role over the final games. Wed, Sep 25, 2013 12:01:00 AM

Depth Charts

The Yankees called up Tyler Austin from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the corresponding move. Cooper has impressed this year, hitting .326 in 13 games for the Bombers while platooning with Chase Headley at first base. It's unclear how long he might be out.

Greg Bird (ankle) will begin a minor league rehab assignment on Wednesday.

Bird made quick work with his recovery, as Wednesday will be just 29 days after undergoing surgery to remove excess bone growth on his right ankle. He could provide a nice boost for the Bombers' over the final month-plus of the season.

Starlin Castro (hamstring) is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Castro got the green light after making it through batting practice earlier in the week. He landed on the DL last month after aggravating a pre-existing hamstring injury. Ronald Torreyes has been covering for him at second base.

Matt Holliday (back) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with High-A Tampa on Friday.

Starlin Castro (hamstring) is also heading out on a rehab assignment, though he'll be getting his work in with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Holliday has been taking BP since Sunday and shouldn't need more than a handful of at-bats to shake off the rust. The 37-year-old hasn't hit for a high average this year (.229 AVG), though he's still been a productive power hitter with 16 homers in 314 at-bats.

Yankees placed OF Clint Frazier on the 10-day disabled list with a left oblique strain.

Frazier began feeling tightness in his left side on Wednesday and an MRI revealed the muscle strain. This type of injury usually requires 4-6 weeks of rest and rehab. Aaron Hicks (oblique) has been activated by the Yankees in a corresponding 25-man roster move.

It will be the right-hander's first mound session since landing on the DL with right shoulder inflammation last week. The Yankees are hoping to have Tanaka back next week against Detroit. He's looked much better since the All-Star break, contributing a 3.13 ERA over five second-half starts.

Sabathia was widely expected to return Saturday, which happens to be the first day he's eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list. He officially got the green light Wednesday after completing a 25-pitch bullpen session at Citi Field. Sabathia will need to be at his best with Chris Sale going for Boston on Saturday.

Pineda was diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament last week, but he was holding out on a decision until he received a second opinion from Reds medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek. Kremchek confirmed the initial diagnosis and will perform the surgery. Pineda figures to be sidelined until late in the 2018 season at the very earliest.

Chapman also did some running in the outfield and didn't seem to be favoring his injured hamstring. The Yankees are confident he'll avoid the disabled list, though he won't be available out of the pen Thursday against the Mets. David Robertson will continue to handle save chances while Chapman works through his hamstring issue.